Proclaiming Good News in the Midst of Bad by Mark Adams

When I consider this text from Mark, what strikes me most is that Jesus begins proclaiming good news after John, the one who had baptized him, is put in prison. It is precisely in the face of the bad news of John’s imprisonment that Jesus begins his ministry, declaring that the kingdom of God has come. Precisely in the face of Herod issuing a death sentence for the messenger who prepared the way, Jesus calls for repentance. Precisely in the face of the government’s attempt to silence the voice of the one crying out in the desert, Jesus exhorts us to trust in the good news.

There is a lot of bad news concerning the United States’ border with Mexico and much talk about issues of immigration: the number of people literally dying to get into the United States increases each year. Those immigrating to the United States are experiencing increasing levels of suffering. The environment suffers as well, with trash disrupting the landscape, and fences and walls disrupting entire ecosystems. There is also fear on the part of many in the United States that more immigration will result in a loss of U.S. culture.

Straddling the U.S.-Mexico border, Presbyterian Binational Border Ministry is in a unique position to witness the bad news—the fear and death occurring on the shared border, as well as the growing division in the interiors of our nations.

What do the scriptures teach us about dealing with the fear and suffering found at the borders? And how can we show radical hospitality to our new neighbors? Find out by reading the full text of this article in the September/October issue of Horizons.

Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2008 issue (HZN-08-240; $4 plus shipping).

Mark Adams has served as the PC(USA) mission coworker with Frontera de Cristo, one of six Presbyterian binational border ministries, centered in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico and Douglas, Arizona, since September 1998. He is married to Miriam Maldonado Escobar, and together they have three children: Cindy Yessenia, Anna Flor and Nathan Elias.

Crossing the Dessert by Penny Sisto; fabric art from the Immigrant Series.

Other Articles Online This Issue


What do the scriptures teach us about dealing with the fear and suffering found at the borders? And how can we show radical hospitality to our new neighbors? Find out by reading the full text of this article in the September/October issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2008 issue (HZN-08-240; $4 plus shipping).	Proclaiming Good News in the Midst of Bad by Mark Adams When I consider this text from Mark, what strikes me most is that Jesus begins proclaiming good news after John, the one who had baptized him, is put in prison. It is precisely in the face of the bad news of John’s imprisonment that Jesus begins his ministry, declaring that the kingdom of God has come. Precisely in the face of Herod issuing a death sentence for the messenger who prepared the way, Jesus calls for repentance. Precisely in the face of the government’s attempt to silence the voice of the one crying out in the desert, Jesus exhorts us to trust in the good news. There is a lot of bad news concerning the United States’ border with Mexico and much talk about issues of immigration: the number of people literally dying to get into the United States increases each year. Those immigrating to the United States are experiencing increasing levels of suffering. The environment suffers as well, with trash disrupting the landscape, and fences and walls disrupting entire ecosystems. There is also fear on the part of many in the United States that more immigration will result in a loss of U.S. culture. Straddling the U.S.-Mexico border, Presbyterian Binational Border Ministry is in a unique position to witness the bad news—the fear and death occurring on the shared border, as well as the growing division in the interiors of our nations. What do the scriptures teach us about dealing with the fear and suffering found at the borders? And how can we show radical hospitality to our new neighbors? Find out by reading the full text of this article in the September/October issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2008 issue (HZN-08-240; $4 plus shipping). Mark Adams has served as the PC(USA) mission coworker with Frontera de Cristo, one of six Presbyterian binational border ministries, centered in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico and Douglas, Arizona, since September 1998. He is married to Miriam Maldonado Escobar, and together they have three children: Cindy Yessenia, Anna Flor and Nathan Elias. Crossing the Dessert by Penny Sisto; fabric art from the Immigrant Series. Other Articles Online This Issue Devotional Proclaiming Good News in the Midst of Bad Presbyterian Women: A Part of Immigration History Know Thyself: Why the U.S.A. Mission Experience? Home Economics: Our Neighbors on Rio Grande Boulevard Reflections Ten Things You Should Know About the Immigration Legal System Shifting Borders: Immigration in Eastern Europe Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Health Connections Faithful Parenting Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue SEPT/OCT 2008 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the September/October 2008 issue, HZN-08-240 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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